Best Bird Beak: Animal Adaptations

We've been conducting some fun investigations during our science unit on living systems. To introduce animal adaptations, students used a variety of tools to determine the best "bird beak". To begin, we discussed the types of foods that birds eat and drink, and students were challenged to think about how a bird's beak gives them an advantage over other animals that might eat and drink the same foods.

Students used some different tools to try to pick up sunflower seeds: chopsticks, a dropper, a strainer, and tweezers. Next, students used the same tools to try to get water (nectar) from a jar.

Students recorded their results on an activity sheet. To close, we discussed how the tweezers and the dropper (the overwhelming best tools to get food/water) are like a bird's beak, and how the shape of thier beak assists them in getting the types of food and water they require.

Check out some student work pictures below.